I read with interest the report Citizens pledge to fight corruption all the way which quoted Transparency International president, Param Cumaraswamy as saying that the government's current anti-corruption campaign has failed to tackle the root causes.

To counter the menace of corruption, as the case of terrorism, there is an often-repeated call to address the 'root causes' but is there sufficient courage and honesty to face up to what the root causes are, let alone address them?

If the wider social and political architecture generates the perception that patronage and discriminatory policies are the order of the day and all benefits and power will continue to accrue with legitimacy to those who know the right people, there remains very little incentive left for an individual not to take advantage when he is presented with the opportunity.

It is difficult for people to act in a non-corrupt manner (whether as taker or giver) if they continually receive contrary reinforcement, by way of perception and experience, that although everyone else is sanctimoniously speaking against corruption, the socio-political reality is such that every one else will be acting otherwise if provided the opportunity, and that to be non-corrupt is to be taken advantage of.

Where a system does not hold excellence and merits as an intrinsic value, and those with whom the public interface with expect extra financial incentive to discharge their public service, many of the public will also be prepared to pay to avoid an inconvenience, delay and disadvantage.

Where quality educational opportunities and health services are not guaranteed by the state to all, there is this financial insecurity to make as much money as possible to provide for the well-being of one's own family in the uncertain future.

There is really very little incentive in the present milieu to abridge one's own self-interest in the interest of morality or public good.

Getting more people to make anti corruption pledges will not help to lessen corruption unless there is a genuine political will from the leaders and the majority of people governed to first dismantle the existing social and political architecture which breeds it.

The disenfranchised and the ordinarily born without pedigree can still make money and climb up the socio-economic ladder if they are prepared to bribe and be bribed and get connected to the right people in power to avail themselves to the spoils.

They are content in the knowledge that as long they 'make it', they will be admired without regard to how they have become so in the first place. In short, corrupt behaviour does help in many instances for social mobility and climb.

A 'benefit' of the development and many projects that we presently enjoy is undoubtedly in no small part encouraged in many instances by the corrupt propensity of those who conceive and have a say on their implementation and costs.

Never mind the downside that the public often dis not need them at that juncture and that there was no proper feasibility study done, or that the exorbitant cost would be a burden on taxpayers.

People soon come to accept that such projects are being brewed up all the time to create money making opportunities, if it is not a bullet train, than it will be the manufacture of airplanes.

Those burdened as taxpayers and consumers will just have to find ways to make back some money from getting involving with or identifying with those who have the power to dispense parcels of jobs or money-making opportunities arising from such projects. What comes around then goes around.

It will be evident here as the realisation slowly seeps in that if corruption cannot be stamped out due to institutional strictures that individuals cannot change, then the best way is to accept it and find ways to profit from it if one wants to avoid being penalised by the depredations of corruption all around.